Beer board moves to suspend Oak Ridge grill’s permit

An Oak Ridge nightspot for sports fans had its wrist slapped for serving alcohol to an underaged undercover operative after Oak Ridge Beer Board members were told the server was an overzealous rookie who was immediately fired.

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By The Associated Press

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By The Associated Press

Posted Sep. 11, 2013 at 6:35 PM

By The Associated Press

Posted Sep. 11, 2013 at 6:35 PM

(AP) — An Oak Ridge nightspot for sports fans had its wrist slapped for serving alcohol to an underaged undercover operative after Oak Ridge Beer Board members were told the server was an overzealous rookie who was immediately fired.

Members Monday also endorsed a city ordinance change requiring beer permit-holders to notify them if holders have been cited by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

During a show-cause hearing Monday, members gave Lincoln’s Sports Grille a week’s suspension of its beer permit, but that penalty will be waived if the operators provide proof that all servers and bartenders have state Alcoholic Beverage Commission training for selling and serving alcohol.

The move was in response to an ABC undercover sting in March where seven Oak Ridge eateries were cited for serving beer to a 19-year-old operative. All were fined at least $1,500 by the ABC. Additional penalties by the board are possible and have already been leveled in one case.

The board in August gave Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar the option of paying a $2,500 fine or having its beer license pulled for five days. The stiffer penalty options were imposed because it was the eatery’s second offense in a year.

Board members have scheduled show-cause hearings for the remaining establishments nabbed by the ABC for selling beer to underage patrons in March. Hacienda DeGollado and Oak Ridge Moose Lodge No. 1316 are scheduled Oct. 14, while Aubrey’s, Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant and Ruby Tuesday go before the board Nov. 18.

The undercover sting at Lincoln’s occurred a week after a beer board show-cause hearing on a February fight at the sports bar. No penalties were imposed following that first hearing.

Board members Monday also approved recommending a change in city ordinances requiring beer permit holders to give the city notice if they’ve been nabbed for beer sale violations by the ABC. Members only learned of the March 19 ABC operation because of the second-offense status against Applebee’s.

The board’s endorsement of an ordinance change will go before City Council.